Reiki (pronounced "ray-key") is a
spiritual healing technique which involves, but is not limited to, the the laying on of
hands. It was discovered in the late 1800's by Dr. Mikao Usui in Japan, and is thought
by some to have originated as a Tibetan Buddhist practice, perhaps thousands of years ago.
It is a very
simple yet powerful healing art that can be used on the self as well as for others, and it
can be easily learned by anyone. It is not associated with any religion, but it is highly
spiritual in nature.
The word "Reiki" is derived from two Japanese
words – "rei," meaning
"soul" or "spirit," and "ki," meaning "essence" or
"life force energy." Reiki is a balanced Universal life force
energy that seems to have its own divine consciousness. It provides exactly what is needed
to bring about healing on
all levels -- even when the cause is unknown. Reiki energy is also unique in
that it can never cause harm. Reiki treatments work by dissolving or eliminating toxic energy and substances
from physical,
emotional, mental and spiritual levels. It also facilitates healing by
strengthening the harmonious forces in order to create a balanced state.
And as it passes through to the subject during Reiki sessions, the Reiki
energy also clears, heals and protects the practitioner.
Natural healers that have been attuned to Reiki
find that their innate healing abilities have been enhanced. They also
describe their healing energies as becoming more powerful and directed than before.
Reiki is transferred to students by a Reiki
Master/Teacher through a series of attunements. During the attunement process, a series of
sacred healing symbols are sealed into the student's energy field. Many
report that they were also given an
angelic guide to assist them in channeling the higher vibrations of Reiki energy. The attunement
process opens up an individual permanently to the Reiki energy so that they can
channel Reiki energy to self and others. When they place their hands on a
person with the intent to impart Reiki, the Reiki energy flows
effortlessly for the purpose of healing. Reiki can also be applied to
assist animals, plants, places, situations or inanimate objects both in
person and over great distances.
Usui Reiki has been traditionally taught in three
degrees or levels, and there is a specific attunement for each degree of training which is
passed down from the teacher to the student.
First degree Reiki works primarily on the physical
body and etheric energy. It has a tremendous ability to balance the chakras, remove negative energy
from a person's auric field, relieve stress, and heal the body in general.
And many people report that the time of their first Reiki attunement
coincided with a major positive life transformation.
Second degree Reiki energy adds healing on the mental
and emotional levels. The first degree energy is enhanced and amplified greatly, and the
student is taught how to send the healing energy over a distance
and to other points in time. Techniques for using the Reiki
symbols to cleanse and protect the aura and living space are taught, as well as other
advanced techniques that can facilitate deep emotional healing, which is often the true
cause of disease. Although Reiki enhances intuitive abilities at all the
levels, a powerful boost occurs at the second Reiki degree.
Third degree Reiki energy is very spiritual in nature
and deals with self-empowerment. It is taught in two sections. The first of which is the
Master/Practitioner level. It amplifies both the first and second degree energy to the
highest levels. It integrates all levels of the practitioner's being and initiates
a stronger level of Higher Self contact than has been experienced before. The second
section is the Master/Teacher level, which again increases the level of
Reiki that can be channel by the practitioner and imparts the skills
necessary to
give Reiki attunements to others and to teach Reiki I, II or III classes.
